The Pundit Syrah
Columbia Valley, Washington • Tenet Wines
"The American Rhône Scholar: a mystical red that translates Washington's exuberance with French technical precision."
The Pundit: The Sage of Washington
The Pundit represents the pinnacle of international collaboration at Tenet Wines. Born from the alliance between winemaker Bob Bertheau and the legendary Rhône consultant, Philippe Cambie, this Syrah challenges the conventions of the American Northwest.
The key to its profile lies in the unique geography of the Columbia Valley AVA, where glacial deposit soils and the arid climate allow for extraordinary polyphenolic concentration, similar to the great French crus reviewed by Wine Spectator.
Identity and Terroir Profile
The Columbia Valley offers an extreme diurnal temperature range. This characteristic is fundamental for anthocyanin fixation in Syrah, a technical process detailed by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
- Varietal: Predominantly Syrah with touches of Grenache and Viognier.
- Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels.
- Technique: Co-fermentation with Viognier, emulating the historic style of Côte-Rôtie.
Pairing and Service
Its robustness and spicy notes make it the ideal companion for intensely flavored dishes. For technical pairing enthusiasts, this Syrah fits perfectly into the "Full-Bodied Wines" categories suggested by Wine Folly.
- Premium Cuts: Wood-fired Rib-eye or Smoked Brisket.
- Mexican Cuisine: Exceptional affinity with Oaxacan Mole Negro.